Real Madrid: Ancelotti Admits That Team Has Lost Balance, Puts An End To the Goal-Keeping Issue

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Looking to hold on to their Champions League trophy, Carlo Ancelotti admits that he is under a lot of pressure following two consecutive home defeats but believes that he will find the right solution for the team, ahead of the club’s opening fixture against Basel.

Ancelotti admitted that his team has lost ‘balance’ but believes that he will be able to fix and solve things, just like he did last year, leading the club to win the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.

“Today I feel like a manager who has to fix and solve things. This match comes right on time, I believe that we will be contending for the title and try to win this competition again. We’ve lost some balance when we do not have the control of the game with the possession and we’re working to improve this.”

Talking about Real Madrid two consecutive domestic defeats, the manager believes that the club is suffering from inconsistency but reaffirmed his faith in the club roster, including new recruit James Rodriguez.

“We have not had consistency, but the thirty minutes played against Real Sociedad were brilliant, and so were the last 20 minutes of the first half against Atlético. We need to find this consistency. Our roster is really good, and the players understand that we have one of the best rosters in Europe. The club asked for my opinion on how to build the roster, so yes, I’m very happy with James too.”

Talking about the much debated goal-keeping issue at Real Madrid, the manager made it clear that Iker Casillas was the starting goal-keeper for the club and that he will not reopen the debate during the rest of the season. He admitted that Casillas s booed by a section of the fans but believes that the player has the experience to deal with such situations.

“This controversy does not exist inside our dressing room, so I will not speak about our goalkeepers at all during the rest of the season. The debate is closed and I will not open it. About the whistles, Casillas has good experience and he will not have a problem with them.”

Meanwhile new recruit James Rodriguez also spoke during the Press Conference and indicated that he was still taking time to get used to the club and its players. He admitted that he is yet to arrive at his best form but believes that Real Madrid are in a position to compete for trophies.

“I ‘m with a new team, with a new squad, I’m physically and mentally better every day, but I know that I’m not at my best just yet. I think that we haven’t kicked-off the season well, but we have good players and tomorrow we have a good chance to win and do things properly.”

It now remains to be seen how Real Madrid fare in the Champions League and if they can be the first club to successfully defend the European crown.